How to open the CDR format

Some users who deal with images saved in not very common formats, such as CDR, are wondering how to open this file in the Windows operating system. There is a file on your computer with the extension “*.cdr” that needs to be opened for viewing.

The CDR format (CorelDRAW file format) was developed by Corel Corporation for use in its products: CorelDRAW, Corel PaintShop Pro, Corel WordPerfect and so on. A CDR project file saves vector graphics or raster graphics.

Before performing operations with graphic files, you need to consider some nuances before opening the CDR extension in any application on your PC. Keep in mind that this extension also has several other data formats: Macintosh DVD/CD Master, Raw Audio CD, and Crash Data Retrieval files transmitted from sensors on equipment.

These are completely different file types and extensions that are not related to graphic images. Therefore, you should understand what type of data you are encountering on your device before opening the CDR file.

In our case, we need to get an answer to the question of how to open the CDR format on a computer or open a CDR file online when working with graphic data.

CDR is a proprietary format, and it is logical to use CorelDRAW to open it. But the fact is that this is a paid application and for this reason few will be able to use the services of this software. In most cases, the user needs to open a vector image for viewing in a program designed to work with graphic files.

We need to open the CDR for free on PC or using a web application on the Internet. Therefore, the user should find out how to open a CDR file other than Corel. For example, which program to open a CDR or how to open a CDR online.

From this article you will learn about free programs that open CDRs, and you will also try to open CDRs online using a web application hosted on a website on the Internet.

Keep in mind that fairly large files may not open on the online service. These limitations happen due to insufficient power of the web applications on the remote server.

Online CDR viewer services

If you are thinking about the issue of playing CDRs, then I will immediately note that there are practically no services for directly viewing files of this type (and those that exist work quite unreliably, since the file format is proprietary). It will be better to use online converters that will transform your cdr file into some convenient graphic format (for example, jpg) in a minute or two, so you can view your cdr file and, if necessary, download it to your PC.

If you want to professionally create vector graphics, sketches, typography and logos, then you need to use the paid program https://www.adobe.com/ru/products/illustrator.html. However, if you don’t want to pay for it, let’s move on to the list of free options available on the network.

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Zamzar - service allows you to open a CDR file

When it comes to viewing the CDR format, one of the best options is the Zamzar service. Despite the fact that this resource is intended for converting files, it allows you to quickly convert your .cdr into a convenient graphic format (bmp, ai, jpg, png, pcx, etc.), view the result and download it to your computer.

To use the service functionality, do the following:

Log in to the website https://www.zamzar.com/converters/image/cdr-to-jpg/;
Click on the “Choose files” button and select the file you need to convert on your PC;
Click on “Convert files to” on the right and select the graphic format into which your cdr file will be transformed (for example, jpg);
In the next line on the right, enter your email to get the result, click on the “Convert” button and wait for a notification by email;
In a few seconds you will receive an email with a long link to your file, click on it;
In the window that opens, click on the “Download now” button and download the result to your computer.

Program selection

Users who do not know how to open the CDR format should consider the most popular programs that work with vector graphics. In fact, there are more than a dozen editors. The most popular applications include:

Inkscape;
IrfanView;
Adobe Illustrator;
ideaMK CDR Viewer.

Despite the fact that the above programs are designed for CDR files, they differ in functionality. Therefore, it is recommended to consider all the programs and then choose the one that is most suitable in terms of functionality.

Inkscape

This is the best open source vector graphics editor. The application is equipped with advanced functionality, so it can be used by professional designers. Based on the principle of operation, Inkscape can be compared to editors such as CorelDraw or Xara X.

Features of the application include:

Ability to work with contours;
Text processing;
Converting raster image to vector;
Possibility of collective editing of a document via the XMPP protocol;
Document compression;
Editing XML code;
Ability to record metadata.

If you don't know how to open a CDR file, install Inkscape. It should be noted that the program is suitable for both 32 and 64 bit systems. It is best to download the application from trusted sources.

IrfanView

This is a program for viewing CDR files, as well as other graphic formats. It should be noted that the application is capable of playing some audio and video files. Despite the fact that the viewer first appeared in the mid-90s, it is constantly evolving. During its existence, the program was downloaded more than 60 million times.

Key features include:

Ability to work with a large number of extensions;
Taking screenshots;
Capture an image from a scanner;
Selecting and cutting out fragments;
Possibility of batch renaming;
Command line support;
Create web pages from any type of image (including CDR format).

If you only need to view the bitmap image, use IrfanView. Open the file and copy the desired fragment. Navigation is not difficult, since the program has a Russian-language interface. If desired, the application language can be changed. This can be done in the settings.

Adobe Illustrator

The program is designed specifically for working with vector graphics. The application is a good alternative to CorelDRAW. Therefore you can open CDR files. Many designers have switched to this editor. The program allows you to customize the interface in such a way that it is more convenient for everyone to work.

The main advantages of the editor include:

Bitmap tracing;
Ability to create diagrams;
Creating animation using flash;
Ability to create web pages;
Adding various effects;
Run on a 64-bit system.

It is important to remember that CDR files can be opened by the program, but they can only be saved in AI. In the event that the edited file needs to be opened again in Corel Draw, you will have to use a converter

ideaMK CDR Viewer

This is a program for opening CDR files. The application is distributed completely free of charge. In addition to normal image reproduction, the utility is capable of converting vector graphics into raster images. Conversion can be carried out in the following formats:

JPG;
TIFF;
PNG;
GIF.

You also have the opportunity to expand the drawing without losing quality. The only drawback is that files sometimes cannot be opened in the Windows XP operating system.

Viewing CDRs in XnView

The direct purpose of XnView is to view images in different formats. This is a universal and cross-platform program for opening photos with different extensions. It can be the best photo viewer for Windows or any other platform. In addition, it has the ability to open the CDR for viewing. This can be done even offline, without having to visit sites to play the file. The program is distributed free of charge. You can get it at https://www.xnview.com/en/.

The XnView application can be downloaded by users on Android and IOS mobile platforms. This is not only a program for viewing pictures. It has a built-in editor that can change file sizes, extensions, and adjust brightness and sharpness. The editor is able to apply filters to images. And also process graphic files in batch mode.

XnView stands out because it can detect over 400 image formats. Including CDR files. All these features are contained in a small installation package.

XnView instantly displays a picture on the screen in any format for viewing. In the program, the user can create their own photo albums, as well as improve the quality of images without additional editors, which weigh a lot and consume a lot of RAM. Its capabilities can be listed for a long time. Also worth mentioning is the ability to take screenshots of a computer screen, determine the number of colors in an image, and create HTML albums for posting online.

To this we must add that the program has a convenient and beautiful external shell with intuitive icons and functions. To view CDR files, the program is the best choice on PC and smartphone.

IrfanView - 5th method

IrfanView is a free program for viewing graphics and playing multimedia files on your computer.

You can open a preview of the CDR file in the application:

After starting the program, open the "File" menu.
Click on "Open...".
In the Open window, select the file on your PC.
A preview of the image will appear in IrfanView.

Opening CDR in Libre Office

The CDR file can be run in different applications. One of them is Libre Office. Its advantages are that it is free software, which is an analogue of Microsoft Word with its own characteristics.

The program can run on different operating systems: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, including 32 and 64-bit versions. Users can find this program on the website https://ru.libreoffice.org/.

The software package has been translated into 30 languages.

The text editor consists of several modules:

Writer – text editor;
Draw – graphic vector editor;
Smart data management system – Base;
Module for managing formulas and mathematical calculations Math;
Calc – table editor;
Built-in module for creating Impress presentations.

The user can easily open the CDR file for viewing in Libre Office. To do this, select the “File” button in the main menu and specify the file in the Explorer folder tree. A CDR can be a vector graphics file. Or a raster graphics file. Based on this, the possibilities for editing it in Libre Office may be limited. The user can not only open the file for viewing, but can change it in the program in which it was created - Corel Draw. Although it is possible to change the file format and then open the image in other editors.

Libre Office can be useful not only as a tool for opening an extension, but also as a full-fledged replacement for the Word text editor. In this case, you will not need to pay for licenses or purchase paid access.

Groupdocs.app service - method 6

Groupdocs.app is an Internet service that helps the user open a CDR file online for free. The Online Document Viewer supports opening this type of file.

Do the following:

Log in to the “View CDR online” page using the link: https://products.groupdocs.app/ru-ru/viewer/cdr.
Click in the special area or drag a file from your computer there.

After uploading to the service, a website page will open to view the image.

You can resize the image, download the file to your computer in CDR format, as a ZIP archive with images in PNG format, save as PDF, or send for printing.

Open CDR in Inkscape

Continuing the theme of free software, it is worth mentioning Inkscape as a tool for opening the CDR extension. This program was created for free vector graphics editing. The program can be downloaded for free from the web page: https://inkscape.org/ru/.

Its creators are ordinary users from different countries, the program code is in the public domain. To download, find the "Download" section in the top menu and select your platform on which Inkscape will run.

This tool is indispensable for graphic designers of any specialization. The editor has the ability to create any element from attractive icons to advertising banners. In addition, Inkscape perfectly recognizes most modern and popular formats and extensions.

Some of them, which are not vector graphics, can only be viewed, without the ability to edit. The program can create images of almost any complexity. The designer can use shadows and gradients. And the whole picture, after creation, will comply with all the principles of a vector image.

To open a file with a CDR extension in Inkscape, you need to select “File” and find an image with the desired extension on your computer drive. You can open the file and change some of its elements if the image contains vector graphics. Otherwise, only viewing is possible.

How to open on a computer?

Working with a hard drive in Windows 10: how to create a local one, rename a logical one, merge, distribute

Considering that the format was created by Corel, it can be opened using products from the same company. The most popular way to view and edit cdr files is CorelDraw, because... It is in this software that the object was created and there will be no problems with its operation.

It will not be possible to open data with a similar format in Photoshop; to do this, you can use another program from the same company - Adobe Illustrator.

CorelDraw

Although the licensed product costs a lot of money, it provides a wide range of tools for editing cdr files. With its help you can create both a logo and an entire brochure. At the same time, it is not inferior in functionality to Photoshop.

To open the cdr format in Corel, you need to purchase the program or download a free trial version. Next, after opening the software, you should left-click on the “file” button, and then click on the “open” option. The user goes to the memory area with the required file, selects it and confirms the launch using the “open” button.

Now the object is completely ready for use. It can be both viewed and edited.

Inkscape

The program is absolutely free and offers to open the cdr format without any problems. To many, the software may seem convenient and simple, which creates the perception of weak functionality. However, it is not inferior to the previous program and allows you to both view and edit objects.

To open, you must use the standard procedure. First, the user clicks on the “file” button and selects “open” from the list of suggested options for working with the program. Having selected a memory area, it selects the required data and completes the launch using the “open” button.

OpenOffice Draw

This program is also produced by Corel and allows you to open the cdr format on your computer. It is included in the standard OpenOffice package and is absolutely free. With its help, you can create presentations, diagrams and other graphic objects that are necessary for office work.

The user can work in both Russian and English interfaces. The classic method of launching a cdr file, which is presented in the previous methods, also works here.

DrawPlus Starter Edition

The program is a professional tool that is used in artistic work, to create graphics and animation. It is also a product of Corel and allows you to work with the cdr format. It has a wide range of graphical tools for processing and creating objects, so the software will satisfy all the needs of interaction with the required file.

To open it, you need to click on the “file” tab and select the “open” option from the list provided. Next, the user moves to the memory area where the data is located, selects it and confirms the launch by clicking on the “open” button.

Ofoct - .cdr file viewer

If you need to open the file described above, then the Ofoct service can help you with this. It has simple and convenient functionality, but, unfortunately, the performance of the site is not at a high level, and the files we need are not always opened.

To take advantage of its capabilities, go to this site https://www.ofoct.com/viewer/cdr-viewer-online.html.
Click on the “Upload” button and upload the file you need from your hard drive.
Just below, select the required resolution (High resolution - high resolution, Low resolution - low), and click on “View” on the right.
If file processing is successful, you will see the contents of your file.

Opening CDRs that are not vector graphics

How to open .CDR Macintosh DVD/CD Master?

You can perform the task on a Mac using the standard disk utility Disk Utility or the application for extracting and mounting images DiskImageMounter .

Additionally, you can use the functionality of HFSExplorer .

How to open data with audio?

Such audio files are similar to WAV and AIF. You can play media content in the iTunes from the developer Apple Corporation.

If you wish to burn the content to a CD, ImgBurn software is recommended.

FILESPAZZ - we reproduce the vector graphics format

In our article we cannot fail to mention the fairly popular FILESPAZZ service, the functionality of which is designed to convert SDR format files into popular graphic formats.

To open the CDR format with the capabilities of this resource, go to the specified resource filespazz.com;
Click on the “Browse” button next to “Step 1” and specify the path to your file;
Then, below, select the desired graphic conversion format (various versions of tif, jpg, ai and others), enter your email even lower, and then click on the “Convert” button.
Once the conversion is complete, you will receive a notification by email, and you can download the result to your computer.

XnView - 4th method

XnView is a popular free graphic file viewer. The program supports opening a large number of file types.

Using the application you can open a CDR file in preview mode:

Launch XnView.
From the File menu, select Open....
In the Open Files window, add the desired image.
A preview of the image will open in the program window.

Read more: XnView - a powerful image viewer

Programs for working with CDR

In the presentation of the topic of CDR viewers, mention should also be made of programs that allow you to work with such files. It should be noted such products as:

The XnView program is a free product for viewing a variety of graphic files, has the ability to process and convert files, screen capture, slide show of images, and so on;
The ST Thumbnails Explorer program is a paid product from the developer Softfields Technologies, quite powerful and fast, has the capabilities of a file manager and viewing multiple animations (gif);
The DrawPlus program is a full-fledged art studio for working with vector graphics, a shareware product. The program's capabilities are quite wide, including a built-in calibrator, presentation tools, and so on;
And, of course, traditional Corel Draw, without it the list of relevant programs would not be complete.

OpenOffice.org Draw

As you might guess, Draw is part of the OpenOffice office suite, which I already talked about on the site. The program is literally tailored to the needs of the office, since here you will find tools for creating diagrams and presentations, libraries of various elements and symbols, etc. Of course, you can use this software at home - in this case it does not matter, since the entire package is distributed free of charge, including for organizations.

Features of Draw:

Creation of vector images.

Creation of three-dimensional objects (simple three-dimensional objects).

Ability to create a grid or guides used as a guide.

The ability to connect objects using connecting lines, which can be useful when creating some types of diagrams.

There is a display of sizes.

Possibility of using animation, sounds or other elements.

Export images in the most popular formats.

Passion for CDR

In the late 1980s, Canadian software development firm Corel not only fiercely rooted for its National Hockey League protégé, the Toronto Maple Leafs, but also knew a lot about its professional field. It was she who then developed this program for working with vector graphics - Corel Draw. The program was delivered to customers on two disks: on the first the program itself, which very quickly turned into a whole package, and on the second there was a huge library of ready-made vector images. What was there: several tens of thousands of vector images for all occasions, from Chinese motifs to spaceships. Corel presented all these images in cmx format, which could also include image description metadata. But cmx was a format, so to speak, from the generosity of the developer, and the native format of the Corel program was precisely CDR.

This is the CDR file:

Became the main format for vector images in Windows. Macintoshes and the entire professional design community somehow immediately focused on Adobe Illustrator, but Windows and all second-hand designers focused on Corel Draw and CDR. Today, the severity of this confrontation has significantly smoothed out, but at the dawn of computer design, the struggle between CDR and AI (the native format for Illustrator) was very noticeable. It was getting ridiculous. If you were a very decent designer, with a good portfolio, participated (maybe won) in worldwide competitions organized by Corel, but at the same time worked only with CDR, it was difficult for you to break into a reputable design company, where only Macs and Illustrator were in charge.
But where there is Illustrator, there is Photoshop - the most famous program for working with raster graphics. But she is already in full swing in Windows. And again Corel was unlucky with its CDR, again there was a confrontation. Although Corel Draw is not a direct competitor to PhotoShop on Windows, it can work with bitmaps (as “raster” is called here) and save everything in the same CDR format. Moreover, Photoshop, perhaps, shouldn’t have “turned up its nose” so much - it might have been the envy of some of Corel Draw’s capabilities. For example, this “curled corner” effect or the black and white mask overlay effect. We’re not talking about purely vector effects (the same flow of one object into another), which PhotoShop could be very envious of (which, in fact, it did for a long time).